What's Not: Not designed to protect against moisture. Minimal drop protection. Expensive for simulated leather.

Reviewed by Tom Slayton

The Ridge is a portfolio-style case for your iPad 2 or 3rd generation iPad. It provides good protection from normal daily use, is smart-enabled, and has a built-in ridge system to allow a variety of horizontal viewing angles.

Size and Fit

The Ridge fits the 2nd and 3rd generation iPads snugly, although the latter is a bit of a tight squeeze due to its somewhat thicker chassis. It provides full access to ports and switches, and the only noticeable size it adds is the thick simulated leather screen cover. This is not a bad thing as the extra girth results in a pleasing feeling of soft leather in your hands, and also provides the necessary structure for it to function as a viewing stand.

Features and Quality

The Ridge has a great quality feel to it. The simulated leather is thick and soft, the felt lining provides great scratch protection for your screen, and the back is made of thick ABS plastic that looks like it will absorb a significant bump so your iPad won't have to. The cover is smart-enabled, which means that opening it will awaken and unlock your iPad, and that closing it will put it to sleep. Additionally, it needs no latching mechanism as it is held in place, just as Apple's own Smart Cover is, with tiny magnets built into it. Lastly, it gets its name from a series of ridges formed into the inside of the cover. When you line up one of them with the Ridge's small, almost completely unnoticeable plastic tab, the cover will function as a horizontal viewing or typing stand.

Style

The simulated leather of the Ridge is thick and substantial, and is available in three colors (blue, red, black). All of the seams and edges are stitched with heavy black thread, and add a great deal of understated professional style. If you work in an office environment, the Ridge will fit right in, and will even look good in your hand while you're wearing a suit.

Summary

The Ridge by Devicewear is an excellent portfolio-style case for your iPad 2 or new iPad. It looks professional, can function as a viewing/typing stand, provides great day-to-day bump/scuff protection, and is smart-enabled. It's a bit on the pricey side for simulated leather but the build quality is high so perhaps the decision to avoid natural leather was deliberate.